Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987icar...70..483b&link_type=abstract
Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 70, June 1987, p. 483-498.
Physics
40
Absorption Spectra, Atmospheric Models, Methane, Pluto Atmosphere, Data Reduction, Frost, Light Curve, Spectrophotometry, Pluto, Methane, Absorption, Spectra, Spectrophotometry, Wavelengths, Optical Properties, Lightcurves, Depth, Abundance, Models, Frost, Distribution, Particles, Size, Gases, Atmosphere, Telescope Methods, Earth-Based Observations, Procedure, Analysis, Albedo, Solid Phase
Scientific paper
Absolute spectrophotometry of Pluto in the wavelength range of 5600 to 10,500 Å was obtained on 4 nights covering lightcurve phases of 0.18, 0.35, 0.49, and 0.98. The spectra reveal significant variations in the absorption depths of the methane bands at 6200, 7200, 7900, 8400, 8600, 8900, and 10,000 Å. A model employing an anisotropic surface distribution of methane frost and a clear layer of CH4 gas was developed to explain the variation in absorption strength with rotational phase. The fit to the overall spectrum requires the presence of a frost with particle sizes on the order of a few millimeters. An upper limit of 5.5 m-am is derived for the one-way column abundance of CH4 gas. An equally good fit to the variation of the 7200 Å band is obtained if the atmosphere is removed from the model entirely.
Buie Marc William
Fink Uwe
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